Aston Villa vs Arsenal Post-Match Thread

[Dave]

The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.

It didn't take you long to get your first moan of the season in.

Oh stop being so precious.

Welcome back to the site.

Shame you couldn't have been around more for the last couple of weeks, it's been quite cheerful.

What's so controversial about what I posted?

I don't think you posted anything controversial.

I was just offering a friendly welcome back as I'd not seen you posting much on this part of the site since, ooh - probably the Leyton Orient game.

Oh, you're suggesting I only post when we lose.

Definitely not.

There could be any number of reasons why you've posted more about the Villa since full time today than you have in the previous nineteen days combined.

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

I really do think that the illness running through the squad was instrumental in today's efforts. We did start to look drained after about half an hour. We go again.

I know a few people are seeing the virus as an excuse, but having just seen the "highlights" on MOTD I thought several of them seemed patently ill - Weimann looked dreadful in the pre-match huddle, pale, sweaty and panda-eyed.  He really did look like he'd just dragged himself away from the bog to take part.  Lambert also looked bloody awful in his post-match interview.  A virus would certainly explain why we were knackered after half an hour.  We've shown many shortcomings over the last couple of years, but looking knackered after half an hour isn't one of them.  It certainly doesn't fit with our first four games this season.  I'm going with the virus theory.   

Incidentally, if it is norovirus, as previously suggested, it's as potent and contagious as viruses come.  (I speak from horrific experience).  In which case, I wonder if we've managed to infect any of the Arse with it?  See, there's always a bright side...   

[Toronto Villa]

Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and all I get pounced on.

it's not being pounced on. When you post things like this, given what you know about the squad today expect a response.

The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.

I don't know that we've led in possession at any time this season but prior to today's game we were doing just fine despite that. It's one thing had you made a general comment about possession in the thread on the subject, or even after Liverpool as an observation, but you've chosen today after a defeat. You can see why you'd draw some criticism for that can't you?

[saunders_heroes]

Jesus it's like a bloody tag team. All I said is that I can't stand Lambert's tactic of giving up possesion and all I get pounced on.

it's not being pounced on. When you post things like this, given what you know about the squad today expect a response.

The 3-0 scoreline flattered them in the first half, but the second was unacceptable. I hate the way Lambert's teams give up so much possession, it just isn't good enough. We barely touched the ball second half. We're Aston Villa not Burnley.

I don't know that we've led in possession at any time this season but prior to today's game we were doing just fine despite that. It's one thing had you made a general comment about possession in the thread on the subject, or even after Liverpool as an observation, but you've chosen today after a defeat. You can see why you'd draw some criticism for that can't you?

Believe you me, this isn't the first time I've commented on our lack of possesion.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I don't get why Clark is being so heavily criticised today. He may have left Wellbeck for the 2nd ? I'll have to watch MoTD in the morning. Someone who was at the game - please explain ?

At the game you don't get the luxury of replays...I was  watching the ball and where it was going, not which player took up a certain position at a particular moment in time...

Not a moan, but the last people who "know" anything are the ones who were there...the Sky experts have already analysed it 40 times by the time we've thrown our arms up in disbelief and looked our seated neighbours deep in the eye!

UTV!

[Toronto Villa]

we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.

[PeterWithesShin]

Believe you me, this isn't the first time I've commented on our lack of possesion.

We all have at some stage, but I really don't see the point after a game where it's obvious there were factors with the players health wise.

For all that we've been shit at times under Lambert, one thing I don't think we do is be that lethargic for so much of a match. Staggeringly shit and inept for long periods of some games, yes, but lethargic? Nope imo.

[saunders_heroes]

we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.

The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?

[PeterWithesShin]

we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.

The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?

That's a fair enough point, but wouldn't it have been better to talk about it in the possession thread rather than have it come across as a point about this specific match when we know about the illness factor, which will effect the players both physically and mentally?

[SoccerHQ]

we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.

The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?

Be good for someone to start a thread on that subject....oh wait Paulie already has.

[olaftab]

What was all the business going on in the bottom left corner of the Lower Holte? Everyone kept standing up to look over there and I had no idea what was happening.

There were some people making noise and that disturbs the rest of Holte Enders.

[Clampy]

I thought we were doing ok until that mad three minutes. Half time was one of those games where you think, well do we try and get back into the game or keep the score down. With Andi going off, it kind of made our mind up for us because we didn't have another striker on the bench and taking off a midfielder wouldn't have been a good idea anyway. The second half was dull but it could have been worse than it was.

[saunders_heroes]

we've all commented on our lack of possession for ages now. Not just under Lambert. Just that today, ironically playing against arguably the most complete possession team in the PL, on the back of a really good start, with the team not well, it's hardly a time to compare us to Burnley.

The point I was trying to make is that I don't like us sitting back and surrendering possesion whoever we're playing. We do it against the top sides AND the also rans. Take Hull the other week, we played well first half then sat back and invited them onto us all second half. Why are we so uncomfortable on the ball?

Be good for someone to start a thread on that subject....oh wait Paulie already has.

Oh yeah!

[olaftab]

Joe Cole could have come on.

Yes he could have but it takes a lot of effort from lifting yourself off the bench removing your track suit top and then running sorry walking on to the pitch. Joe is not cut out for that.

[saunders_heroes]

Joe Cole looks overweight to me. Okay not fat as we mere mortals but for a footballer he looks to be carrying a bit of excess weight.